Who talks about the G.O.A.T in the African music industry without mentioning the Afrobeats icon and legendary 2Baba?
Where should we begin?
Is it from his numerous back-to-back smash hit songs since the 2000s or his current Oya Come Make We Go – FIFA 2022 World Cup Afrobeats Theme Song for the world cup Qatar, 2022?
Born as a commoner, raised in the smallest of towns, inspired by the drive to produce great sounds and good music, groomed into the finest of musicians in the history of Africa, is the renowned Afrobeats icon and popstar Innocent Ujah Idibia popularly known as 2baba.
2baba, a Nigerian singer, songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur, is widely known as one of Nigeria’s most outstanding musicians of all time. Whose style of music is characterized by a unique vocal range, lyrical depth, and longevity which has contributed immensely to the rise in popularity of the Nigerian music industry since the 2000s.
About The Theme Song – Oya Come Make We Go
As with the official soundtrack – Hayya Hayya for the FIFA world cup Qatar 2022 2baba in the spirit of FIFA releases this soundtrack as a theme song for the FIFA world cup Qatar 2022. This song symbolizes how music can be used as a tool to communicate and unite the world.
Aside from using his art to uplift the Nigerian music industry, the popularity of 2Baba’s art has added beauty and essence to the unique culture of the African people. And in other to preach the message of unity, embedded in his art is the strong message of oneness, strength, unity, love, peace, and victory.
This is evident in his most recent Afrobeat theme song for the FIFA 2022 World Cup – Oya Come Make We Go – FIFA 2022 World Cup Afrobeats Theme Song
In this FIFA 2022 World Cup theme song Oya Come Make We Go, 2Baba uses a notable text overlay at the beginning of the video and at the end – Usuthu Africa, which means battle cry. Usuthu Africa portrays the never-give-up spirit of Africans when it comes to warfare. And obviously, the quest for the FIFA World Cup is a battlefield and a game of survival of the fittest.
However, this does not override the main purpose of coming together under one umbrella – FIFA to promote football. According to the FIFA
chief commercial officer Kay Madati, FIFA’s 2022 official soundtrack Hayya Hayya capturing the likes of breakthrough US star Trinidad Cardona, Afrobeats icon Davido and Qatari sensation Aisha is an intentional idea that displays the spirit of the FIFA World Cup and its sound strategy of bringing together inspiration from across the globe.
By bringing together voices from the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East, FIFA Chief Commercial Officer Kay Madati further states that this song Hayya Hayya symbolizes how music can unite the world.
And for 2Baba’s FIFA World Cup Afrobeats theme song for the world cup Qatar, 2022, capturing the names and pictures of key players such as Mohammed Kudus, Andre Ayew, Sadio Mane, Edouard Mendy, Wahbi Khazri, Naim Sliti, Achraf Hakimi, Romain Saiss, Vincent-Aboubakar and Andre Onana of the five African representatives – Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, 2Baba no doubt agree with the FIFA 2022 sound strategy.
Therefore, for Africa – boundaries may separate us, and language may set us apart but it does not define who we are, because we are one. Hence, the text overlay in the video Let’s Go, Africa, All the Way!
2Baba’s Biography, Songs & Albums
Biography
Innocent Ujah Idibia, aka 2baba, is from a family of six. He was born on the 18th of September 1975 to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Idibia in the home of peace and tourism, popularly known as Jos city, Plateau state. With both parents from Benue state, 2Baba has roots in the Idoma tribe of the Okpokwu LGA of Benue State.
Educational Background
It is not clear where 2baba had and completed his primary education but on moving to Markudi Benue state, 2Baba completed his secondary school education at Mount Saint Gabriel’s Secondary School.
And in a bid to further his education, he gained entry into the Institute of Management and Technology in Enugu to study a preliminary diploma course in Business Administration however, because of his quest to build his musical career, he was unable to finish his college education.
The Beginning of 2Baba’s Musical Career
While at the Institute of Management and Technology, 2baba began his musical career which looked more like a mini performance or show held within the school environs. He performed at school-organized shows, parties, and other regional schools such as the University of Nigeria
Nsukka, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, and the GB Fan Club Enugu State Broadcasting Services (ESBS) where he composed and sang jingles at the time in 1996.
Driven by his quest to produce good music with his level of commitment and persistence, he moved to Lagos where his musical career began to take shape. In Lagos, where he met Blackface Naija and Faze, he formed a trio band called Plantashun Boiz. Plantashun Boiz successfully released two albums: Body and Soul in 2000 and Sold Out in 2003 under the record label Dove Records.
The Iconic Singer with the Name 2Baba
Before 2016, 2baba was popularly known as 2face. 2face was a stage name he adopted in 1996. According to him, it was a move to separate his personal life from his musical career.
But in January 2016, the iconic singer took to his Twitter handle to announce the change of his name from 2face to 2baba. And during a radio interview with Wazobia FM, 2baba was asked about the inspiration behind the change of name. In his response, he pointed out that the name is not a new name as people around him have been calling him ‘2Baba’ and for the fact that he is now mature (baba means father) and a chief – Tafidan Kudandan in Kaduna, he thought it wise to change his name.
To some, the name bears the weight of an icon in the African music scene, to others the name posits his status as a father and a chieftain.
But to you, what does the name ‘2Baba’ mean
List of 2baba’s Latest Songs
- Oya Come Make We Go – FIFA 2022 World Cup Afrobeats Theme Song| released 2016
- African Queen | released 2004
- Amaka | released 2020
- If Love is A Crime | released 2006
- Oyi | released 2020
- Opo | released 2020
- See Me So | released 2006
- Gaga Shuffle | released 2017
- Officially Blind | released 2016
- Target You | released 2020
- Only Me | released 2010
- Nfana Ibaga | released 2004
- Smile | released 2022
- True Love | released 2006
- We Must Groove | released 2020
- E Be Like Say | released 2006
- Enter The Place | released 2008
- U No Holy Pass | released 2004
- I Dey Feel Like | released 2006
- For Instance | released 2006
- Ole | released 2004
- Coded Tinz | released 2017
- Mad Over Hills | released 2022
- 4 Instance | released 2006
- Right Here | released 2004
- Holy Holy | released 2017
- Power of Naija | released 2010
- Be There | released 2010
- Hate What You Do To Me | released 2017
- Baecation | released 2019
- Important | released 2020
- No Shaking | released 2017
2Baba’s Most Recent Collaborations
- Amaka 2Baba (feat. Peruzzi)
- Baba Nla Larry Gaaga (feat. 2Baba, Burna Boy & D’Banj)
- Suffer Head Eazi (feat. 2Baba)
- Azaman Slimcase (feat. 2Baba, Peruzzi, Larry Gaaga & Dj Neptune)
- Iworiwo Larry Gaaga (feat. 2Baba)
- Baecation D’banj & 2Baba
- Okpeke (feat. Flavour & 2Baba)
- Oya Come Make We Go 2Baba (feat. Sauti Sol)
- Geshomo Sound Sultan (feat. Wizkid & 2Baba)
- Original Baby remix Simi (feat. 2Baba)
- Babylon I Abaga & 2Baba
- Frenemies 2Baba & Waje
- Nobody Knows (feat. 2Baba)
- International Dj Waxxy (feat. 2Baba, Buffalo Souljah & Gemini Major)
- Life is Beautiful 9ice (feat. 2Baba)
2Baba’s Local and International Achievements and Awards
2Baba, as the meaning of his name, meets up to the expectation of one who is an Afrobeat icon. And over the years, he has remarkably left an impact not just in the Nigerian music industry but in the history of entertainment in the diaspora. His achievements have won him various awards locally and internationally.
Here is a List of International Achievements and Awards Won By 2Baba
- Best International Act: Africa BET Awards of
- New Champions for an Enduring Culture 2011 16th Edition of the Annual THISDAY Awards presented by former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
- Song of the Year for ‘African Queen’ 2004 Nigeria Entertainment Awards New York.
- Best Album of the year 2004 Nigeria Entertainment Awards New York.
- Best Hip Hop and R&B Artiste 2004 Nigeria Entertainment Awards New York.
- MTV Africa Music Awards Best Male 2009
- MTV Africa Music Awards Best Video for ‘Enter the Place’ 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards.
- Best African Act 2005 MTV Europe Music Awards
- Best Album of the Year 2007 Nigeria Entertainment Awards New York.
- Best Selling Nigerian Artist 2008 World Music Awards, Monaco,
- Africa Break Through Artist of the Year 2006 Nigeria Entertainment Awards New York.
- Best R&B MTV Africa Music Awards 2009
- Best Male MTV Africa Music Awards 2010
- Artist of the Year MTV Africa Music Awards 2010
- Best African Act 2008 Australian African
Local Achievements and Awards Won By 2Baba
- Best Male Vocalist 2002 Affinity
- Best Video 2004 M.E.N Awards.
- Best Male Vocalist 2004 M.E.N Awards.
- Song of the year 2004 M.E.N Awards
- Outstanding Contribution to the Entertainment Industry 2004 Award for Excellence.
- Music of the Year 2004 Excellence Recognition
- Best New Act Male 2004 M.E.N Awards.
- Musician of the Year 2004 City People Awards for
- Best Male Video 2005 Channel O Music Video
- Best African Act 2005 Channel O Music Video
- Best African Act 2005 Kora
- The Outstanding Musician of the Year 2005 Black Heritage Awards for Excellence.
- Best Musical Artiste 2005 Afro Nollywood
- African Song of The Year (Non-Ghanian) 2005 Ghana Music
- Best Male Video 2005 Channel O Music Video
- Special Recognition Award 2005 Hip Hop World
- Best African Act 2005 Kora
- Best Song of the Year 2005 C.E International Awards.
- Best African Video of the Year 2005 Channel O Music Video Award
- Musician of the Year 2006 The Future
- Best African Act 2007 MOBO Awards
- Song of the Decade 2007 Nigerian Music
- Artist of the Year
- Best Western 2010 Sound City
- Most Gifted West African Video 2010 Channel O Music Video
- Best Pop Video for ‘Implication’ 2010 SoundCity
- Album of the year 2011 Hip-Hop World Awards – ‘The Headies’
- Most Gifted African West Video for ‘Only Me’ 2011 Channel O Music Video Awards.
- Artist of the year 2011 Hip-Hop World Awards – ‘The Headies’.
- Best R’n’B/Pop Album 2011 Hip-Hop World Awards – ‘The Headies’.
- Best R&B Single – Let Somebody Love You (2Face Idibia) – ‘The Headies 2014’.
- Album of the Year – ‘Ascension’ Ben Tv Awards
- Best international Collaboration – Rainbow ft. T-Pain Ben TV Awards 2014.
2Baba’s Nominations
- The Headies Award for Best Collabo 2101 & 2019 for Amaka & Hold On.
- MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act 2005
- MTV Africa Music Award for Video of the Year ‘Enter the Place’
- BET Award for Best International Act: Africa 2011 & 2013
- World Music Award for World’s Best Live Act
- City People Music Award for Best Collabo of the Year ‘Nwa Baby’ 2017.
- MTV Africa Music Award for World’s Best Entertainer of the Year 2014
- The Headies Humanitarian Award
- MTV Africa Music Award for Best Male 2008, 2009,
- The Headies Award for Best Reggae/Dancehall Single ‘Holy Holy’ 2018.
- World Music Award for World’s Best-Selling Nigerian Artist 2008
- MTV Africa Music Award for MAMA Evolution
- MTV Africa Music Award for Best R&B
- Nigeria Entertainment Award for Afrobeat Artist of the Year
- The Headies Award for Best Performer
2Baba is one of Nigeria’s most outstanding musicians of all time, driven by the passion for a better society whose language is One Love.
Listen and Watch 2Baba’s latest video Oya Come Make We Go for the FIFA World Cup Afrobeats theme song for the world cup Qatar, 2022.
